One of the top trends for Summer 2021 is cottagecore, with its nostalgic yearning for simpler times as a reaction to the pressures of modern life. This trend was already on the rise pre-pandemic but in 2021 it’s really come into its own.

Cottagecore also has nods to sustainability and eco awareness so it’s the perfect fit for us at Dorton. This trend is about looking back to a time when life was a little less throwaway and a little more analogue.

What is cottagecore?

The key to this aesthetic is contentment at home, returning to nature, a sense of wellness and security. During the pandemic, many of us have probably partaken in the trend without even realising it – making our own bread, taking up a craft, reading more books, or simply finding joy being at home with the family.

Cottagecore is all about a longing for simplicity – in fashion, gardening, interior design, baking…the list goes on and on. And while we’re all happy to have more freedom as we move out of lockdown, this is a trend that looks set to stay, particularly as the outside world remains so fraught and chaotic.

To bring a touch of cottagecore into your home, there are some key elements to consider. Layer up this style – more is most definitely more! Cosy is key – you’re aiming to create a natural and soft ambiance that calms your spirit and makes you feel safe and secure. 

Keep it vintage

Cottagecore décor goes hand in hand with reclamation as it’s all about sustainable, rustic, old-fashioned pieces. We’re talking about reclaimed wooden worktops, stripped-back kitchen tables and chairs, vintage tableware, an Aga or range oven, wooden dressers displaying all your pots and pans.. Take a look at this stunning bread oven from our yard for inspiration!

You can introduce a little cottagecore with something simple, open shelving filled with books, vintage planters, a set of mismatched side tables, an antique vase of wild flowers – or base your entire design around the trend.

Mix and match

Forget minimalism, cottagecore is all about a curated clutter, cosiness, and displaying all your knick-knacks rather than hiding them away in cupboards. Take inspiration from bygone days and display vintage cake stands, old mismatched glasses, and reclaimed treasures. And that chintzy Charles and Di commemorative plate you’ve been stashing away for years – it’s time for it to shine!

Bring the outside in…and continue the trend outdoors

One of the easiest ways to nail the cottagecore look is to add florals. Choose botanical tiles, wallpaper, prints, cushions, rugs, bedspreads and the floweriest, kitschiest vintage cups and saucers you can find! Decorate the walls in homely colours derived from nature – greens, blues, pinks or neutrals are perfect – and accessorise with real plants and flowers.

We love the way this space is styled with a mix of quirky planters, vivid pops of colour and vintage shutters.

Continue the trend in your garden with mismatched pots, window boxes and planters spilling over with colourful cottage garden flowers like geraniums, lavender and hollyhocks. Remember, sustainability is a cornerstone of cottagecore so you could even create your own veg patch to really embrace this good-life aesthetic.

Stay safe.

Image references

Main image – Idealhome.co.uk

Bedroom – Houzz.com

Kitchen with open shelves – Stylelovely.com

Kitchen with table – Realhomes.com

Bedroom wallpaper – The interior editor (via Instagram)

Interior plants – Homesandgardens.com

One of the most effective ways of adding ambiance and elegance to your home is through clever use of lighting, whether it be to create a statement or add warmth to an underused corner. We’re taking a look at some of the leading lighting trends, how to incorporate them into your renovation project, and top tips to consider when lighting your home.

Making the most of natural light

It’s worth exploring how to make the most of natural light in your home. When you’re designing a space, think about the room’s aspect and how you can maximise light before adding artificial illumination. In a north-facing kitchen for example, you could add bifold doors or skylights, then incorporate spotlights to further highlight any darker areas.

In a bright south-facing room, take advantage of the light with large windows – but bear in mind that sunny rooms can also become very hot! Use wooden shutters to filter the light and create coolness.

Form and function

Key considerations when choosing how to light a space are form and function. Your lighting should have a purpose yet also bring you joy. Make the space work for you – an elegant reading light next to your favourite chair, a statement installation over a kitchen island, concealed spotlights above your bathroom mirror..all neat touches to add practicality, beauty – or both!

Mix it up

The current décor trend of mixing styles, textures and shapes extends to lighting, and with it comes the chance to design a playful lighting display. Mix and match ceiling pendants, experimenting with height and shape to show off your staircase or hallway. Or create lighting that looks great even when it’s switched off with mismatched coloured glass shades – fabulous over a dining room table.

Upcycled and repurposed shades are perfect for this style. Be creative with mason jars, ceramic bowls, even old cake tins! Check out this blog for more ideas – and be sure to visit us to see what’s in stock at the yard.

Keeping it natural

One of the biggest trends we’ve seen so far this year is the use of natural colours and materials. Think rattan, wicker (yes, it’s back!), bamboo and earthy natural tones. Rattan is so light that you can exaggerate with style and size – we love this shell spiral lampshade for example.

Industrial vs vintage

A style that never loses popularity is the industrial look, conjuring thoughts of Manhattan lofts. Soften hard edges by matching with vintage or natural materials. We’re thinking wire ceiling pendants with stripped back wooden shelves, or clusters of bare bulbs alongside a kitsch flowery table lamp. Add warmth with your choice of wall colour, furnishings, flowers, art – then play with expectations with stark, bold industrial lighting.

A trip down memory lane

Perhaps it’s because of the last year where we’ve all been forced to simplify and spend more time at home, but we’re definitely seeing a move towards nostalgia-inspired lighting. Some styles never go out of fashion – art deco, 60s inspired floor lamps – but we’re also seeing lots of retro table lamps (for home office working with a little added style!), cosy reading lights and even that most questionable trend – lava lamps!

At Dorton, we have a range of floor lights, pendants and lanterns – come down to the yard to have a browse.

Stay safe.

Image references

Main image – glass ceiling lights My Warehouse Home

Kitchen with natural light Architectural Digest (Copyright ©2011 The Condé Nast Publications. All rights reserved)

Bedroom with chandelier Trendir

Mix of boho pendants Renoguide

Shell spiral rattan shades Rockett St. George

Vintage vs industrial Vintage Industrial Style

Table lamp Home and Gardens

Restrictions are slowly but surely lifting across most parts of the UK, but it looks as though holidays abroad may have to wait another year.

So, many parents out there will be looking for activities and projects for the school holidays and weekends across the summer. After all, if you can’t get away from it all why not make the most of the space you have at home.

This month, we’ve gathered a selection of activities to do for and with the kids, from creating a treehouse to teaching little ones about nature and home-grown food.

Treehouse

Think of a quintessential, old-fashioned, Swallows and Amazons childhood, one that perhaps you were lucky enough to enjoy, or one maybe you wished you had.. long sunny days, make-believe adventures, sleepovers in the garden. Create a little slice of fairytale magic for your children this summer with their very own treehouse.

We stock a huge array of beautiful reclaimed timber so you can build an entirely sustainable treehouse for your little ones. You could even install doors and windows if you’re feeling ambitious! And with reports that building materials are becoming harder to come by due to the huge demand during lockdown(s), there’s never been a better time to switch to reclaimed materials.

Sand pit

Another mainstay of nostalgic childhood memories is the classic sand pit. Build the sand pit of your children’s dreams with scaffold boards, sleepers, reclaimed timber or even a broken-down pallet.

We also love this example which includes a seating area and handy hinged lids (there’s a fab how-to on their website too). Why not add casters for easy storage when it’s not sandcastle weather?

Nature reserve

There are so many nature activities you can invent with your little ones – take a look at this great article on creating a wildlife garden for kids. Make a mini wildlife corner in your garden, and plant wild flowers (try beebombs.com) and bug-friendly plants such as lavender, nasturtiums and sunflowers.

Bees are a precious commodity and there are so many ways you can entice them into your garden. As well as pollinators, we love the idea of creating a ‘bee & bee’ hotel! Birds, bees, butterflies and moths will also thank you for a watering hole during the hot months. Convert a reclaimed urn into a bird bath, or collect plant pot dishes to make a bee bath.

If you’re building a pond, don’t forget we stock many types of bricks, and rockery stone that are just perfect for decorating your finished creation.

Grow your own

There’s still time this season to sow veggie seeds; the perfect project to teach your children the joy of home-grown food that they can watch develop from seed to plate. If you’re short on space, sow seeds in planters like this original iron wall mounted beauty, or build a simple raised bed with reclaimed timber planks.

Looking for more summer inspo? Check out our earlier summer-inspired blogs including this one on salvage ideas for the home and garden.

Image references

Treehouse: via The Spruce (credit: ideiasdiferentes on Instagram)
Sand pit: via Ana White
Nature reserve image: stock imagery
Bee hotel: RSPB
Vegetable garden: stock imagery

Following last month’s blog where we discovered their rather fabulous insta page, we’ve been avidly following colour experts Benjamin Moore.

According to them, 2021’s colour of the year is Aegean Teal, a dreamy blue-green hue that can be used inside and outside your home to great effect. We have to agree, this tranquil shade is really beautiful and works well with other 2021 trends, including pairing with pretty pastels, buttery yellows and cool neutrals.

Join us as we look at how to incorporate this striking colour palette into your home and garden, and explore some gorgeous colour combinations to make your home sing.

In the kitchen

We love the way that Benjamin Moore has used Aegean Teal on walls and cupboards to make a real style statement (main image). Up the contrast with simple wooden worktops and copper detailing for a contemporary look.

In the nursery

Not a fan of traditional nursery colour palettes? Shake things up in your little one’s nursery with a splash of teal. Teal looks fabulous teamed with pastels, so there’s still space to add baby pinks or barely there blues if you like.

Dress the room with a vintage footstool re-upholstered in a complimentary style and a mix of wall art as in this example from House of Turquoise.

In the home office

This cute office space is made truly striking with the use of a bold teal, cleverly combined with pops of coral and orange in the window alcove and the designer’s choice of wall art. We also seriously love the mix of teal shades to create the illusion of more space and light.

Recreate this look by creating a bespoke workstation, laying and painting floorboards, and updating your doors. Check out our recent blog ‘How to create a blissful nook’ for more ideas on transforming tiny spaces.

In the bathroom

Banish bland bathroom vibes forever with a cheeky burst of teal combined with cool greys and whites. This bathroom has been utterly transformed, almost entirely through clever use of colour. Upcycle bathroom furniture with a daub of paint, a new side panel, and a smart toilet seat all in matching shades of grey, and then introduce your pop of teal. Complete the look with patterned floor tiles, and warm everything up with minimalist wooden shelving and some carefully chosen plants.

In the garden

As overseas travel still seems a little way away, why not create a little slice of Havana in your garden – cocktails optional! We adore the combination of a gorgeous teal wall with simple tiled flooring and exotic planting. Add strings of lights and wooden shutters to create even more character.

There’s a multitude of ways to bring teal into your garden. Paint your shed or summer house a vivid shade, update your fencing, re-paint bistro style tables and chairs, or simply accessorise with teal chair cushions or a blanket if you’re not quite ready to take the plunge.

Stay safe.

Image references

Main image – Benjamin Moore

Nursery – House of Turquoise

Office – Louise Misell Interiors

Bathroom – Ideal Home

Havana Garden – Gardening with Charlie

Doors. Interiors, exteriors, feature doors, garage doors – you name it, we stock it so we thought we’d dedicate this month’s blog to this often overlooked, but absolutely essential design detail.

Front doors

Let’s start with the front door. We all own one and it’s the first impression of our home that we send out to visitors and passers-by. Whilst researching for this blog we fell down a rabbit hole of door envy looking through Front Doors Of Ldn’s Instagram page, which showcases some beautiful examples. So, is it time to swap your standard door for something a little more unique?

We stock a variety of exterior doors, including this beautiful oak door with stained glass detail, this solid oak door, and for the more opulent home, this magnificent arched door. All these doors can be brought back to their original grandeur with a sand-down, a good clean and a wax conditioning treatment.

Interior doors

Moving inside, whatever style you’re looking for we will have an interior door for you. Transform tired doors that have seen better days into chic features that draw your eye from room to room. Recreate a style similar to these examples with simple stripped pine doors or  oak linen and walnut doors reclaimed from old boards. And we particularly love this Edwardian 1930s door, just begging to add character and colour to your home.

Sliding doors

If you’re short of space, particularly in a hallway, a sliding door can be a really useful option.

Convert a traditional door into a slider, or create the illusion of even more space and light with this gorgeous set of Victorian stained glass and timber sliding doors.

French windows and bifold doors

As we move through the house, it’s time to bring the inside out with bifold or French windows leading into the garden. Or change it up and use them to divide a room or connect a bedroom and dressing room.

Recreate this slice of Mediterranean gorgeousness with a set of French windows. If you’re looking for a bigger project, this set of crittall French doors is simply stunning and would catch the light beautifully.

Add an interesting touch to divide two connecting rooms (try this set of Victorian bifold doors) – again, a fantastic way to save space.

Garage doors

Back outside, let’s look at the garage. We’re in love with this detached garage with a 1930s style set of doors. Our reclaimed doors that would look fabulous either stripped back and varnished, or painted in a crisp white with black detailing as in this example.

We’ve featured some of our favourite doors in our collection but there’s always new stock coming in, so please do drop in for a visit or give us a call if you’re after something specific. For ideas on how to incorporate the humble door into amazing design features, check out our earlier blog on reclaimed door doting.

Stay safe.

Image references
Main image – The doors of Ldn (Instagram)
Front door – The.Lakeside.Home (Instagram)
Interior door – Pufik Homes
Interior door (hallway) – Ideal Home
Sliding door – Craft with Cartwright
French window – Culture Passport
Bifold door – Home Depot
Garage door – Benjamin Moore (Instagram)